Traffic stop leads to arrest

DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — Police have arrested an Etna man in connection with a break-in on Levansellar Road in Atkinson.

Steven Robichaud, 35, was charged with burglary and theft and is expected to appear June 20 in 13th District Court in Dover-Foxcroft.

Robichaud’s arrest came after a chance encounter with Sgt. Michael Gould of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department.

Gould said he was traveling on Levansellar Road late last month to meet with a property owner who had reported an earlier break-in when the officer stopped an oncoming vehicle that was traveling too fast for road conditions.

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Gould said he stopped his cruiser in the center of the road. When the motorist stopped, Gould walked to the driver’s side and began questioning him. As Robichaud identified himself, Gould noticed an all-terrain vehicle in the back of Robichaud’s truck and a chain saw inside the vehicle.

“I basically took photos of all of it, and he [Robichaud] went on his way,” Gould said. “The very next morning I get a report from the owner of the four-wheeler and the chain saw that his camp was broken into on the Levansellar Road.”

That same day, Gould executed a search warrant at Robichaud’s Etna home. The ATV and the chain saw were not recovered, Gould said. Robichaud has denied ever having the items, he said.

Gould said Robichaud may face other charges, as well, since there have been two other break-ins on Levansellar Road and at least one burglary on connecting Maple Road.

Anyone with information about the break-ins or the stolen items is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Department.

In another case, a break-in reported at a shed at Covered Bridge Apartments in Guilford was solved this week, Gould said. Guy Maloon, 20, of Guilford was charged with receiving stolen property. Since Maloon is on probation for a previous crime, he was placed on a probation hold at Piscataquis County Jail.

Gould said a chain saw and a welder were stolen from the shed and the chain saw was found in the trunk of Maloon’s vehicle. The welder has not yet been recovered.

Deputies also executed a search warrant Wednesday at a home on Bates Road in Abbot, Gould said. Fourteen marijuana plants were confiscated and Alan Desouto, 61, was charged with cultivating marijuana.